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Noise Variances

For activities that make more noise than our Noise Code allows, or if your construction project takes place outside permitted construction hours, then you will need a noise variance.

PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE INCREASED OUR NOISE VARIANCE APPLICATION FEES AS OF JULY 15, 2017. PLEASE USE THE UPDATED VARIANCE APPLICATIONS ON THIS PAGE, USING THE MOST RECENT FEE STRUCTURE.

Getting an Application

We have separate applications for construction requests, and all other activities. For more information, please call our Noise Hotline at 503-823-7350, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Review Process

Applications for large activities, or activities lasting for a year or more are reviewed by the Noise Review Board (a volunteer group with monthly meetings). Variances going before the Noise Review Board are decided within 45 business days of receiving the completed application.

The Noise Control Office reviews all other applications. When possible, a decision will be made within 10 business days of receiving of the completed application.

It may be possible to shorten the process if a faster review is needed. There is an additional fee for this, and the Noise Control Officer/Noise Review Board Chair would have to have enough time to look at the request to decide that the request is in the City’s interest. The Noise Control Office needs at least 3 business days to review the application. If a Noise Review Board variance is needed, the Chair of the Noise Review Board needs at least 7 business days for review.

Standards for review

All applications will be reviewed considering the following measures:

The reason a variance is needed

Length of time the noise will be occurring

How many people the noise will impact

whether the public health, safety, or welfare is harmed

Whether the noise impact outweighs the benefit to the public

Appeals

To appeal a variance decision to the City Council, the applicant or legal representative, or any person who has submitted oral or written testimony must take these steps:

Notice of the intent to appeal must be submitted in writing to the City Auditor’s Office within 10 days of the effective date of the decision.

The notice must identify the decision that is being appealed

It must include the appellant’s name, address and signature, phone number, relationship to the variance decision action, and a clear reason(s) for the appeal.

When the Auditor receives the appeal, they will schedule a date on the Calendar of the City Council.